Courage. Loyalty. Teamwork. Dedication. A sense of humor. Those are just a few traits that described the late Brian Piccolo.
Every year, the Chicago Bears select a veteran and a rookie that best exemplify those traits to honor the former Bears running back with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year’s recipients are linebacker T.J. Edwards (a three-time winner) and tight end Colston Loveland.
Edwards has now won the award for three straight years, and he’s been a key defensive leader since signing with the Bears in 2023. The Bears signed Edwards to a two-year contract extension last April, keeping him in Chicago through 2027, but he didn’t live up to it during the 2025 season. Edwards missed most of the season due to injuries, but he started all 10 games he played in and logged 67 tackles, an interception and 0.5 sack. Edwards suffered a fractured fibula in Chicago’s wild-card win over the Packers, which will sideline him for most of the offseason, but he’s on track to return in 2026.
While there was some initial hesitation about Chicago’s decision to draft Loveland at 10th overall last year, the rookie tight end put those thoughts to bed with a mini-breakout year where he showed his potential to be one of the league’s most impactful tight ends. Loveland led the team in receptions (58) and receiving yards (713), and he really didn’t even get going until midway through the 2025 season. More than that, Loveland showed up in big moments down the stretch, where he proved to be Caleb Williams’ most dependable weapon.
Piccolo is most known for his relationship with former Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers, and their friendship was the spotlight of the film “Brian’s Song,” which has left a profound impact on many who have watched it.
Piccolo passed away after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears’ T.J. Edwards, Colston Loveland winners of Brian Piccolo Award
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
